How bacon-wrapped chicken rolls turned family critics into fans

My mother-in-law criticized my chicken rolls. She said the meat was too dry, the whole dish was too diet-friendly, and it lacked sauce. I didn't give up. The next time, I made the rolls differently and hit the mark with her. She asked twice if it was really poultry.

Chicken is definitely the most popular type of poultry. We often choose fillets because they are the quickest idea for dinner. In second place is thigh meat, which has a more distinctive flavour. However, every time we prepare poultry, there is the same concern that it doesn't come out too dry. It's known to be lean meat and quickly loses moisture during cooking.

Poultry meat is a great source of complete protein and has plenty of vitamins. It is easily digestible and healthy. What can be criticized? Perhaps only that it quickly becomes too dry, especially when prepared traditionally. Rolls are a good way to avoid this. The stuffing makes the meat absorb liquids, and the rolls can be wrapped in bacon slices.

Chicken rolls wrapped in bacon are a very simple dish to prepare. In this version, the chicken takes on a stronger flavour, and the smoked touch does its job. And, of course, the layer of bacon helps retain moisture in the poultry meat. It acts like a tight coating. That's why my mother-in-law admitted she had never eaten such juicy chicken. Additional pluses? Perfectly melted cheese and crispy bacon. The rolls can be served with potatoes or rice as a dinner dish. They also work well for dinner paired with bread or a salad.

Ingredients:

• 8 slices of chicken meat, from thighs or breasts,
• 8 slices of raw smoked bacon,
• 8 slices of gouda or cheddar cheese,
• salt and pepper to taste,
• paprika, garlic optional,
• parsley or rosemary optional.

Preparation method:

1. Pound the chicken cutlets with a meat tenderizer. Sprinkle them with salt, pepper, rub with garlic and herbs. Set aside to marinate.
2. Lay out the bacon slices on the kitchen counter, and place the seasoned pieces of chicken on them.
3. Put a folded slice of cheese on each piece of meat, then roll up tightly. The bacon must completely surround the chicken. To prevent the rolls from falling apart during baking, it's good to use toothpicks.
4. Place the rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Arrange sprigs of fresh herbs around them.
5. Preheat the oven to 204°C and bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes.